Crossbow Trigger-release Aid

ABSTRACT

A device providing for the disarming of a loaded crossbow in order to relieve the tension of the bow safely and facilitating an unloading process is described. The device employs a pair of bow grip handles equipped with J-shaped hooks, designed to grip the bowstring during the application and release of bow tension. The bow grip handles are fashioned with a receptacle configured to receive a mounting member in order to hold the bow grip handles in place against the body of the crossbow, providing for the tension of the bow to be safely released after the trigger of the crossbow is disarmed. Each embodiment of the device is preferably equipped with an anti-fire bolt for use with anti-fire trigger systems.

This application is a non-provisional application of Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/841,588, filed on Jul. 01, 2013, and priority isclaimed thereto.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to projectile devices, and morespecifically, those including trigger-activated arrow suspension systemssuch as crossbows.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

During the process of loading a crossbow, the user is conventionallyrequired to exert force on the bow, cocking the bow into place near therear of the crossbow frame. The bow is usually locked in place by atrigger, which may also be locked in place via a safety ortrigger-switch. Additionally, during the process of loading a crossbow,the arrow is conventionally placed proximal or against the bow. Thetrigger may hold the arrow in place as well, in order to ensure that thebolt is retained in place for firing when the crossbow assembly is aimedor pointed downward. Many devices have been crafted in order tofacilitate and expedite this process, such as a foot stirrup on thefront of the crossbow to aide in the cocking of the bow, and hooksattached to handles which are configured to facilitate the exertion offorce on the bow during cocking.

Unfortunately, once a crossbow is cocked and loaded, it isconventionally required to remain in a loaded state until it is fired.Historically, it is not an easy process, or is simply impossible todisarm or unload a loaded crossbow without actually firing the bolt orarrow. Once the arrow or bolt is placed into the barrel and the arrowspring restraint is activated, the arrow is not conventionally designedto be released until it is fired. Some crossbow users even keep a targetor hay bail nearby to safely disarm the crossbow by simply firing thearrow into the target. While some high-end or expensive crossbows mayhave a disarming aid built into the trigger mechanism, the vast majorityof crossbows are unequipped with such a feature.

Thus, there is a need for a device which can provide for the safe andeasy disarming or unloading of a loaded and cocked crossbow which can bemodularly adapted to a wide assortment of crossbows which are unequippedwith such a feature by default. The device is preferably capable ofretaining the tension of the bowstring, enabling the release of thetrigger without allowing the force of the bowstring to contact the arrowor bolt.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is an attachment mechanism and system whichfacilitates and provides for a means to safely release the trigger of aloaded crossbow, successfully disarming a crossbow without firing ordelivering force to the bolt or arrow. The present invention employs apair of bowstring grip handles which are similar to conventional handlesin that they are designed to grip the bowstring and facilitate theuser's draw of the bowstring. Conventionally, the user's foot is placedin the foot stirrup of the crossbow and the user employs both hands todraw the bowstring back and lock it into place behind a trigger switchor bowstring retainer.

The present invention is designed to add additional functionality to abowstring grip handle. Two bowstring grips with handles are preferablyemployed by the present invention in order to enable a symmetricalapplication of force to the bowstring when drawn. The bowstring griphandles are each equipped with a hook which is designed to be a sturdymeans of grabbing the bowstring in order to draw the bow. The bowstringgrip handles of the present invention vary from conventional bowstringgrips in that they are equipped with a means of mounting the handles tothe stock of the crossbow.

The mounting of the bowstring grips to the stock of the crossbow by theuser while the bow string is drawn is facilitated by a bowstring gripanchor, which is preferably installed along the top of the stock of thecrossbow. The bowstring grip anchor is designed to be affixed securelyto the stock of the crossbow, and is equipped with at least one mountingreceptacle. The mounting receptacle is configured to receive a mountingmember located on the bowstring grip handles. The mounting receptacle onthe bowstring grip anchor temporarily and securely holds the bowstringgrip handles in position against the stock when the present invention isin use. The mounting receptacle is preferably made out of a metallicalloy or other suitable material, to ensure that the bowstring griphandles are stable in position when affixed to the bowstring gripanchor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart detailing the process of preferred use of thepresent invention as it relates to the process of loading and unloadinga crossbow.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the bowstring grip anchor of the presentinvention as mounting to the stock of a conventional crossbow.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bow string grip handles of the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a loading and unloading aide for a crossbow.The present invention employs a first bowstring grip (10) and a secondbowstring grip (20). The first bowstring grip (10) and the secondbowstring grip (20) are each equipped with a hook (30), which is smallerthan the first bowstring grip (10) and the second bowstring grip (20),and is configured to be temporarily affixed to the bowstring of thecrossbow during the cocking process. The hook (30) that the preferredembodiment of the present invention employs is preferably J-shaped, andis preferably sized according to the diameter of the bowstring.

Additionally, the first bowstring grip (10) and the second bowstringgrip (20) are each equipped with a handle (60) which is preferablyergonomic and comfortable for the hand of a user to use when force isapplied to the handle (60). The first bowstring grip (10) and the secondbowstring grip (20) are preferably linked together via a string (40) orflexible clasp, facilitating an even draw when the first bowstring grip(10) and the second bowstring grip (20) are used to draw the string ofthe crossbow simultaneously. When using the present invention, thecrossbow is conventionally cocked in a fairly standard manner, by whichthe user attaches the first bowstring grip (10) and the second bowstringgrip (20) to the bowstring, and places a foot on the cocking stirrup inorder to anchor the crossbow in place so that the first bowstring grip(10) and the second bowstring grip (20) may be pulled upward safely,adding potential energy to the string and pulley system.

While it is envisioned that the first bowstring grip (10) and the secondbowstring grip (20) are designed to be removably applied to the crossbowduring use, a second portion of the present invention, the bowstringgrip anchor (50) is preferably affixed to the stock of the crossbow,near the rear as seen in FIG. 1. The bowstring grip anchor (50) ispreferably installed at a specific distance from the bowstring and theconventional trigger assembly of the crossbow. It is envisioned that thefirst bowstring grip (10) and the second bowstring grip (20) may beadjustable in some embodiments of the present invention in order toeasily accommodate a wider range of crossbow frames.

For example, in the event that a specific crossbow stock does not have asuitable position for the bowstring grip anchor (50) to be installed, itmay be required for the bowstring grip anchor (50) to be installedfarther toward the rear of the stock of the crossbow. In such an event,the distance between the hook (30) and the handle (60) may be extendedin order to accommodate the greater distance between the bowstring gripanchor (50) and the bowstring of the crossbow. It is envisioned that, insome embodiments of the present invention, the bowstring grip anchor(50) may be mounted to a removable screw-tension mount, which may bescrewed onto the stock of the crossbow via a conventional finger-tighttightening knob.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is envisionedthat the bowstring grip anchor (50) of the present invention ispreferably constructed of a metal or metallic alloy such as aluminum orstainless steel. Likewise, the bowstring grip anchor (50) of the presentinvention is preferably installed onto the stock of the crossbow by theuser or by a professional at a crossbow or firearm supply store. Thebowstring grip anchor (50) is ideally securely affixed to the stock ofthe crossbow via at least one screw (70). Conversely, rivets or othersimilar metallic means of securing items may be employed to securelymount or install the bowstring grip anchor (50) to the stock of thecrossbow. As previously outlined, some embodiments of the presentinvention may employ a bowstring grip anchor (50) that is notpermanently affixed to the stock of the crossbow, and may be installedor removed with ease at the will of the user.

The bowstring grip anchor (50), as seen in FIG. 1 is equipped with amounting receptacle (80) configured to interface with and secure to thehandles (60) of the first bowstring grip (10) and the second bowstringgrip (20) via a mounting member (90) located on the handles (60). Themounting member (90) on the handles (60) of the first bowstring grip(10) and the second bowstring grip (20) is configured to fit within themounting receptacle (80) of the bowstring grip anchor (50). The mountingreceptacle (80) is preferably designed to securely and temporarilyreceive and maintain the mounting member (90) on the handles (60) whenthe user of the present invention interlocks the mounting member (90)into the mounting receptacle (80) located within the handles (60) of thepresent invention.

The mounting receptacle (80) on the bowstring grip anchor (50) of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is preferably horizontal,extending perpendicular to the barrel of the crossbow. However, it isenvisioned that other conventional forms of mounts may be employed inorder to provide a means of temporarily yet securely affixing the firstbowstring grip (10) and the second bowstring grip (20) to the bowstringgrip anchor (50). The force of tension maintained within the cockedbowstring, extended to the handles (60), is forced to bind against themounting receptacle (80) of the bowstring grip anchor (50) via themounting member (90). This redistribution of the tension of thebowstring is enacted by design via the present invention in order toprovide for the safe activation of the trigger. After the trigger isactivated, the flight groove and/or barrel of the crossbow is free ofobstruction, which provides for the gradual release of the bowstringtension via the first bowstring grip (10) and the second bowstring grip(20) with opposing force provided by the user's foot within theconventional foot stirrup of the crossbow. The mounting receptacle ispreferably made out of a metallic alloy to ensure that the bowstringgrip handles are stable in position when affixed to the bowstring gripanchor.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is preferably used asseen in the flow-chart of FIG. 1, which is outlined as follows: First,the user conventionally loads the crossbow with a bolt by pulling thebowstring back and locking it into place through the use of the firstbowstring grip (10) and the second bowstring grip (20). [200] The firstbowstring grip (10) and the second bowstring grip (20) are temporarilyaffixed to the bowstring via the hooks (100). [210] In order to disarmthe crossbow, the user temporarily affixes the first bowstring grip (10)and the second bowstring grip (20) to the bowstring and over-draws thebowstring slightly [220]. The user then affixes the first bowstring grip(10) and the second bowstring grip (20) to the stock of the crossbow andmounts them in place via the mounting member (90), designed to fitsecurely within the mounting receptacle (80) [230]. At this point, thetension of the bowstring is forced to frictionally bind against thebowstring grip anchor (50) of the present invention, rather than thetrigger release [240]. Next, the user activates the conventional triggerof the crossbow, disarming the trigger release of the crossbow [250].After the trigger has been fired, the user is free to relieve thetension of the bowstring via the first bowstring grip (10) and thesecond bowstring grip (20) by gently pulling the first bowstring grip(10) and the second bowstring grip (20) back simultaneously beyond thebowstring grip anchor, then releasing the bowstring slowly so that thebowstring may return safely to a neutral state. [260]

Some embodiments of the present invention are preferably equipped withan anti-dry fire bolt (100), envisioned to function as a bolt releasefor an anti-fire mechanism (110) of the present invention. The anti-dryfire bolt (100) of the present invention is preferably configured torest in communication with the anti-fire mechanism (110) via a hole(120) found near the center of the anti-fire mechanism (110) which isapproximately the circumference of the anti-dry fire bolt (100). Theanti-fire mechanism (110) is configured to interface with the bowstringand bolt within the crossbow, and prevent the firing of the loadedwithin the crossbow. This provides added safety to those employing thepresent invention to safely unload and un-cock a crossbow.

All embodiments of the present invention are designed to facilitate andenhance the process of loading a crossbow, and provides for the saferelease of the tension within the bowstring without having to physicallyfire a bolt or arrow out of the barrel.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood thatvarious adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturingaway from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not solely limited to theinvention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprisesany and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

I claim:
 1. A crossbow bowstring unloading apparatus comprising: a firstbowstring grip; a second bowstring grip; a first hook, said first hookattached to said first bowstring grip; a second hook, said second hookattached to said second bowstring grip; a first handle, said firsthandle in communication with said first bowstring grip; a second handle,said second handle in communication with said second bowstring grip; abowstring grip anchor; a mounting receptacle, said mounting receptaclein communication with the crossbow; wherein said bowstring grip anchorextends from the sides of said mounting receptacle; a mounting member;and wherein said first handle and said second handle are configured tointerface with said bowstring grip anchor via said mounting member tohold tension within said first bowstring grip and said second bowstringgrip.
 2. The crossbow bowstring unloading apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid first hook is j-shaped; and wherein said second hook is j-shaped.3. The crossbow bowstring unloading apparatus of claim 2, wherein saidbowstring grip anchor extends perpendicularly to the crossbow.
 4. Adevice for unloading a crossbow comprising: a first bowstring grip; asecond bowstring grip; a first hook, said first hook attached to saidfirst bowstring grip; a second hook, said second hook attached to saidsecond bowstring grip; a first handle, said first handle incommunication with said first bowstring grip; a second handle, saidsecond handle in communication with said second bowstring grip; abowstring grip anchor; a mounting receptacle, said mounting receptaclein communication with the crossbow; wherein said bowstring grip anchorextends from the sides of said mounting receptacle; a mounting member;wherein said first handle and said second handle are configured tointerface with said bowstring grip anchor via said mounting member tohold tension within said first bowstring grip and said second bowstringgrip; and an anti-fire mechanism, said anti-fire mechanism incommunication with said first bowstring grip and said second bowstringgrip.
 5. The device for unloading a crossbow of claim 4, wherein saidbowstring grip anchor is affixed to the crossbow via at least one screw.